Computer Mice

Wireless vs. Wired

For many, wires can be annoying and easily get in the way, especially if there are already enough wires to navigate around.

That's why many choose to get a wireless mouse, as it seems more manageable to use it when it doesn't have a wire that ties it down.

However, there is a significant advantage to choosing a wired mouse, especially if you're a gamer or for other reasons need the mouse to respond quickly.

A computer mouse indeed has a higher response rate when it's directly connected to the computer.

This means that when you move or click the mouse, it will be able to capture movements and clicks faster when it is directly connected to the computer.

When using a wireless computer mouse, the computer must first receive the signal sent by the mouse before the computer registers the action it needs to perform.

A wireless mouse needs to be equipped with a battery to work, while a wired mouse simply gets power through the computer.

There is also a wireless mouse that uses a technology called Lightspeed, which has a much faster communication time with the computer and better performance than other types of wireless computer mice.

Laser Mouse vs. Optical Mouse

When you need to choose a computer mouse, you can choose between two different technologies, laser or optical, which function in their own way.

Optical uses light to read where the mouse navigates, while oddly enough, the laser uses a laser.

An optical mouse can struggle to read on smooth and glossy surfaces, such as high-gloss tables, and therefore may require a mouse pad with a matte surface in some cases.

In contrast, the laser is effective on virtually all table surfaces, so in many cases, you don't need a mouse pad at all.

However, with a laser mouse, you run the risk that it might just stand still and move a little on the screen because the laser might struggle to keep up, thus giving a bit of acceleration to compensate for the lost response.

For most people, the laser mouse is just fine, for example for normal home use or office use, but for more serious gamers, it can be a bit of a disadvantage.

8 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Computer Mouse

#1 Polling Rate

This term refers to how quickly the computer mouse communicates with the computer.

It is measured in Hertz (Hz), and the higher the Hertz of the mouse, the faster it sends signals to the computer.

#2 DPI

DPI stands for Dots Per Inch and is a measure of the speed of the computer mouse, meaning how quickly the mouse moves across the screen.

In other words, DPI indicates how sensitive the mouse is when you navigate it across the screen.

This means that the higher a DPI number the computer mouse has, the faster your mouse will move on the screen when you move the computer mouse.

#3 Computer Mouse with Light

If you want a computer mouse with a bit more exciting appearance, you can get computer mice with RGB or LED lights in them.

Some computer mice with lights can change the light between different programs, allowing them to shine multiple colors at once and in different patterns.

Others may only have a pre-programmed setting and are thus non-alterable, but most of the time there is an opportunity for light customization.

#4 Weight

On most mice, you will see that the weight of the mouse is indicated in specifications, and there is a good reason for that,

The weight is also crucial for how easy it is to move the mouse and can therefore contribute to making your reaction time slower or faster.

If the mouse is light, you'll find it easier to navigate around, and conversely, if it's heavy, you won't be able to react as quickly with the mouse, and you'll therefore move slowly with it.

#5 Design

If you don't just want a regular computer mouse with a boring standard design, there is a sea of computer mice in different designs and colors.

Especially computer mice for gaming come in many smart designs and colors, so they look good next to your gaming computer.

Among other things, you can find computer mice with lights that can also shine in different colors, making it look extra smart in a gaming setup.

#6 Cable Length

There can be a big difference in how long the wire is on a computer mouse, and therefore you may want to be mindful of the cable length when purchasing.

Especially if your computer is located somewhere far away from where the mouse needs to be, you should make sure to choose a wired mouse that can reach that far.

It is indeed possible to get an extension for a USB computer mouse, but it doesn't make much sense, and the response time can become slower, hence this is not recommended.

#7 Scroll Wheel

To be able to navigate quickly on websites, it is a good idea to ensure that the computer mouse has a scroll wheel.

The scroll wheel is the wheel that sits between the two mouse buttons and allows you to navigate easily up and down websites by rolling on the wheel.

On scroll wheels, you can also often click on it, which can be advantageous if you need to open links for example.

This way, the browser opens a new tab instead of navigating away from the current page you're on, allowing you to see both pages without going back to the previous one.

#8 Buttons

A computer mouse can have several different buttons that can help make navigation easier on a computer.

The two most popular buttons are two buttons located on the side of the computer mouse, which allow you to quickly move forward and backward on websites, so you do not need to move the mouse to click the back or forward buttons.

Additionally, wireless computer mice also have a power button, so you can turn the mouse off when it’s not in use without needing to disconnect it from the computer.

Ergonomic Computer Mouse

An ergonomic computer mouse is one that is particularly good for the wrist and fingers to hold for extended periods, so you won't easily get work-related injuries from using it.

An ergonomic computer mouse can come in many different appearances and shapes, so you may prefer one shape over another.

On ergonomic computer mice, buttons are sometimes located in different places, as it can be easier to access them there, which could be advantageous for some.

Computer Mouse for Gaming

If you need a computer mouse for gaming, you definitely want a mouse that can give you super quick response times, allowing you to click at just the right moments.

This means you should look for a computer mouse that is wired or possibly a computer mouse with wireless Lightspeed technology, so you can achieve fast reaction times.

Additionally, it could also be a good idea to look for high DPI and high polling rates, ensuring your mouse is spot on when it needs to be.

If you're gaming for extended periods, you might also consider looking for a gaming mouse with a bit of ergonomic qualities, meaning something that has some curves, making the mouse comfortable to hold.

Computer Mouse for Office

If you need to choose a computer mouse for an office where people sit at computers all day, it's important to select a good computer mouse and not just pick the first and cheapest model.

For that, it might be a really good idea to choose a mouse that is ergonomic.

It can become hard on the hand to sit with a computer mouse for so many hours a day and several days a week as well.

In addition to the computer mouse, a good keyboard would also fit well in the office. Check out our selection of keyboards here.

Computer Mouse for Children

If you have a child who needs a computer mouse, you can actually find some that are not so large, making them better suited for a child's hand.

Regular computer mice can be a bit large and therefore may be difficult for a child to navigate or reach all the buttons on the mouse.

In some cases, there are specifically designed computer mice for children, but you can also opt for a mini computer mouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DPI on a mouse?

DPI stands for Dot Per Inch and indicates the sensitivity of the computer mouse, meaning how quickly the mouse moves on the computer screen.

What is an optical mouse?

An optical mouse uses an LED light to navigate with, capturing the movements you make with the mouse. The light sits under the computer mouse and reads the movements by reflecting the light down on the table and capturing it again.